In 1989, the Coral Coast festival crowned Milinia Vasutoga, a dedicated bank officer from Sigatoka, as Miss Coral Coast. On October 7, 1989, The Fiji Times reported that this festival, held every four years, was akin to the Hibiscus festival.
Unfortunately, the event did not meet its fundraising target, raising only $15,908.49, which was significantly lower than in previous years. Emori Tudia, the chairman of the organizing committee, expressed his disappointment regarding the lack of support from local businesses in the Coral Coast area. He emphasized the need for more backing, stating that Sigatoka is a key tourism hub and that with improved organization and sponsorship, the next year’s event could become the leading festival in the country.
Despite the fundraising challenges, the festival was lively, featuring a float procession through Sigatoka and attracting more than 800 attendees. Miss Vasutoga, who worked as a bank teller at Westpac in Sigatoka, won a trip to Sydney courtesy of Ram Travel and Tours. She conveyed her excitement about winning and her determination to represent Fiji proudly.
Other titleholders included Sharon Chong Sue, who was named Miss Charity. Miss Vasutoga expressed her enthusiasm for participating in larger festivals in the future, hoping to build on her success. She shared her journey throughout the week, noting that she started the week with low expectations but gained confidence leading up to the competition.
Tudia advocated for a revised strategy in organizing the festival, suggesting that attracting tourists could create more sponsorship opportunities and enhance the event’s success. Notably, this festival marked the first occasion it was organized by civil servants and local personalities, rather than charity organizations.